THE WALL OF FACES

Lt Bowman was a hero to his men, in life and death. He was a platoon leader in the 1st of the 6th Infantry. We thought he was lucky, but his luck ran out just South of Danang during TET 68. We had just choppered in to replace a Marine unit, and barely more than a company were on the ground. It was morning, and Alpha company moved off Route 1 to check out the closest village. They were spread out across the paddy, and just 300 yards off the road, in the open, when hell exploded on them. 1500 NVA were dug into that village perimeter against maybe 150 grunts from the 1st of the 6th. They swarmed over our guys like a wave, and it was hand to hand through the afternoon. Tracers lit up the night, and Lt Bowman's whole platoon was cut off from the rest of us. I think only one man survived. When we re-took the area, it was a day or maybe even two days later. Lt Bowman was found with 5 NVA around him, and every evidence of an heroic last stand. Major MacDonald named one of our firebases after him; LZ Bowman. He was a terrific leader, and loved by his men, who mostly joined him in his journey from this world.